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Monterrey will entertain Cruz Azul at the Estadio BBVA in the Liga MX Aperture on Saturday. Both teams had a winning start to their league campaign last week and will look to continue their winning ways in this match.
The hosts met Pachuca in an away game in their campaign opener and Sergio Canales' first-half goal helped them record a 1-0 win. Roberto de la Rosa, who is on loan from Pachuca, picked up the assist against his parent club on his debut.
The visitors hosted Mazatlan in their campaign opener and were able to eke out a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to Bryan Javier Gamboa Galarza's stoppage-time winner. It was a close game in which substitute Camilo Cándido was sent off in the second half just minutes after coming off the bench.
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Monterrey vs Cruz Azul Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have crossed paths 118 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings, with 44 wins. The hosts have got the better of the capital club 33 times and 41 games have ended in draws.
- They met four times last season, once in the Apertura and Clausura apiece and twice in the Clausura final phase. The visitors registered three wins and one game went the hosts' way.
- Monterrey suffered losses in their two home meetings against Cruz Azul last season, ending their unbeaten streak after seven games.
- The hosts are winless in their last four home games in all competitions, suffering two losses.
- The visitors have suffered just one loss in their last six away games, recording four wins and keeping five clean sheets.
- Five of the last six meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals.
Monterrey vs Cruz Azul Prediction
Rayados eked out a narrow win in their campaign opener and kept their first clean sheet in the league since March. They are winless in their last four home games, suffering two losses and failing to score in these losses. They have failed to score in just one of their last nine home games in this fixture and are strong favorites.
La Máquina had a solid outing in their campaign opener as they had seven shots on target but only managed to score in the stoppage time. They won three of four meetings against the hosts last season and will look to build on that form. They have won four of their last five away games in the Liga MX.
Both teams had a positive start to their league campaign and will look to build on that form. Considering their recent history, they are expected to play out a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Monterrey 2-2 Cruz Azul
Monterrey vs Cruz Azul Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Sergio Canales to score or assist any time - Yes
